Anambra State First Lady, Dr Nonye Soludo, has condemned the alleged sexual abuse and exploitation of a child by her supposed mother in Onitsha.
The condemnation follows the arrest of a 36-year-old woman, Anulika Onyeanusia, over the alleged abuse and the rescue of four children during the investigation.
The Anambra State Police Command said the children, aged two, three, six and nine, were rescued after a disturbing video allegedly showing a woman using sex toys on a minor circulated online.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga said sex toys and other items relevant to the investigation were also recovered.
Reacting to the incident, Mrs Soludo said children should be protected from abuse and exploitation.
“There are some things that are simply beyond comprehension, and the alleged abuse of innocent children is one of them,” she said.
“Children are meant to be protected, loved and given the safety to grow, not subjected to any form of sexual exploitation or abuse.”
She commended the police and others whose information and intervention led to the rescue of the children.
Mrs Soludo urged the police to conduct a “thorough, transparent and professional investigation” and establish whether anyone else was involved.
She also stressed the need for continued support for the rescued children, saying their protection should go beyond their immediate physical safety.
“The physical safety of a child is only the beginning; we must also heal the emotional and psychological wounds that may have been inflicted,” she said.
The first lady, who founded the Healthy Living with Nonye Soludo initiative, said she would work with relevant government agencies to explore medical, psychological, social and rehabilitation support for the children.
She also urged parents, guardians, neighbours and community members to report anything that threatens children’s safety.
“Silence could never be an option when the safety of a child is at stake,” she said.
Mrs Soludo added that the Anambra government remained committed to protecting women and children from violence, abuse and exploitation.
